Suwanee on a Winning Streak

The City”s Connects community newsletter and 2013 annual report have been recognized. The newsletter won two Awards of Excellence earlier this month, in the printed publications-external publications and graphic design-publications categories, from the City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA). Connects is written by City of Suwanee staff and designed by the Veugeler Design Group in Buford.

3CMA judges in the graphic design category commented: “Lively, engaging, and a big step up from the previous newsletter. Strategic use of color adds personality and interest within budget constraints.”

Earlier this summer, the City”s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report received Excellence in Financial Reporting recognition and its annual report earned a Popular Annual Financial Reporting award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). This was the third consecutive year that the City”s annual report earned such recognition, but it is the first time that the publication received a grade of A from the panel of judges.

The GFOA reports states: “The reviewers commented very favorably that the City has done an outstanding job in producing a visually appealing report…. The front cover is one of the most innovative seen by the reviewers. The formatting is outstanding.”

The 2013 annual report was written and designed by City of Suwanee staff.

One of the City”s annual events, Woofstock, co-sponsored with Star 94 radio, received a Georgia Downtown Conference Award of Excellence in August. The City was recognized in the promotions category with a silver award.

Finally, the City of Suwanee has been recognized for its performance management efforts with a Certificate of Distinction from the International City/County Management Association”s (ICMA) Center for Performance Analytics. Suwanee is among 11 jurisdictions nationwide to receive the Certificate of Distinction and one of 49 (and one of two in Georgia; Decatur being the other) recognized overall.

“Jurisdictions meeting the qualifications have demonstrated leadership in continuous improvement and community engagement,” says Randall Reid, ICMA director of performance initiatives, “and they serve as examples for other governments to follow.”

Criteria for the Certificate of Distinction include reporting performance data to the public through budgets and newsletters; use of performance data in strategic planning and operational decision-making; data verification efforts to ensure reliability; staff training; and sharing performance measurement knowledge with other local governments.